Perton is a large estate and
civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government. Civil parishes can trace their origin to the ancient system of parishes, w ...
located in the
South Staffordshire District,
Staffordshire
Staffordshire (; postal abbreviation ''Staffs''.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England. It borders Cheshire to the north-west, Derbyshire and Leicestershire to the east, ...
, England. It lies 3 miles to the south of
Codsall and 4 miles west of
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands of England. Located around 12 miles (20 km) north of Birmingham, it forms the northwestern part of the West Midlands conurbation, with the towns of ...
, where part of the estate is conjoined to the estate of
Tettenhall.
Etymology
The name Perton is derived from 'Pear Town' due to the number of pear trees that once grew there.
Overview
Perton
The only direct road connection between Perton and Wolverhampton is for the use of buses and emergency vehicles only; private vehicles must travel north or south from Perton and use the
A41 or
A454.
The main road in Perton is The Parkway; this name is given to a 2.25 mile long circular road as well as the two spurs which link it to the main road network. At the centre of the estate lies a shopping centre containing a
Sainsbury's
J Sainsbury plc, trading as Sainsbury's, is a British supermarket and the second-largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury with a shop in Drury Lane, London, the company was the largest UK r ...
supermarket and a number of other shops including a butchers, home and motor store, pharmacy barbers, women's hair salon, vets, Morrisons convenience, building society two charity shops, cafe, chip shop, Indian takeaway, dentist, doctors surgeries, library, as well as an
interdenominational
Ecumenism ( ; alternatively spelled oecumenism)also called interdenominationalism, or ecumenicalismis the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships ...
church and Lakeside Community Church meeting in the Civic Centre. Perton has three schools: Perton
First School
Three-tier education refers to those structures of schooling, which exist in some parts of England, where pupils are taught in three distinct school types as they progress through the education system.
Terminology
In a three-tier local educa ...
, Perton Primary Academy and Perton
Middle School
Middle school, also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school, is an educational stage between primary school and secondary school.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, middle school includes g ...
.
Old Perton
Old Perton, also known as Perton Ridge, consists of large houses and a farm; it is located to the south of the modern estate on the road to
Pattingham, called Pattingham Road.
History
Old Perton
The original Perton lay upon the slopes of Perton ridge down to the Bridgnorth road. 'Perton' derived its name from 'Pear Town' in reference to a particular type of pear which grows in the area. The original manor was owned by
Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor ( 1003 – 5 January 1066) was King of England from 1042 until his death in 1066. He was the last reigning monarch of the House of Wessex.
Edward was the son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy. He succeede ...
and then by the
Abbot of Westminster
The Abbot of Westminster was the head (abbot) of Westminster Abbey. The position of Abbot of Westminster was a significant role in English history, with the abbots overseeing Westminster Abbey from its early days as a Benedictine monastery throug ...
. The abbey held Perton manor until 1162 when it was transferred to the monarch who in turn gave it to Lord William Perton.
In 1260 a warren was set up for the rashing of rabbits and the manor was held by John de Perton, heir to William, in return for eight days knightly service to the King of England in his wars against the Welsh.
In 1523 it was sold to James Leveson, a merchant from
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands of England. Located around 12 miles (20 km) north of Birmingham, it forms the northwestern part of the West Midlands conurbation, with the towns of ...
, and it eventually passed down to
Richard Leveson, a sailor, who served aboard the ''
Ark Royal'' in the English Navy and who fought against the
Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, ) was a Spanish fleet that sailed from Lisbon in late May 1588, commanded by Alonso de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, an aristocrat without previous naval ...
. He became a commander and in 1596 was knighted after playing a leading role in the Navy's attack on
Cadiz. After many subsequent attacks against Spain he was appointed Vice Admiral of England in 1604.
Perton once again changed hands when Sir Walter Wrottesley purchased Perton manor from
Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset in 1662. It then remained in the Wrottesley family estate along with many farms until it was sold in the 1960s.
New Perton
During the
First World War
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, Fern Fields was used as a relief landing ground for No 38 (Home Defence) Squadron of the
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. During the early part of the war, the RFC sup ...
. In the period between the First and
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
s the site was used for
barnstorming. On 22 June 1929 a famous aviation barnstormer named
Alan Cobham went to Perton trying to persuade local dignitaries that they should all have their own local airfields by making speeches and taking the mayors and officials of
Walsall
Walsall (, or ; locally ) is a market town and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. Historic counties of England, Historically part of Staffordshire, it is located ...
,
Wednesbury
Wednesbury ( ) is a market town in the Sandwell district, in the county of the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England; it was historically in Staffordshire. It is located near the source of the River Tame, West Midlands, River Tame and ...
,
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands of England. Located around 12 miles (20 km) north of Birmingham, it forms the northwestern part of the West Midlands conurbation, with the towns of ...
, and
Stourbridge
Stourbridge () is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. Situated on the River Stour, Worcestershire, River Stour, the town lies around west of Birmingham,
at the southwester ...
for flights in his
DH-61 Giant Moth (a ten-seater enclosed cabin aeroplane).
Shortly after the start of the Second World War construction of
RAF Perton began in the usual RAF triangular pattern, two of 1,100 yards and one of 1,400 yards, using ash from
Lower Gornal and stone from
Oldbury as a fighter station. However RAF Perton did not become a fighter station and instead served as a relief aerodrome for training pilots of other RAF stations – the Princess Irene Brigade of the Dutch Army trained at RAF Perton and later took part in the liberation of their country.
In 1947 RAF Perton was abandoned and given to the Agricultural Land Commission with the Dutch camp becoming a refuge camp for Polish, Latvians and Lithuanians until 1950 when it was converted to housing and occupied until 1962.
The name Perton now refers to this newer settlement with the old Perton being known as Old Perton or Perton Ridge. The only reminders of Perton's history is a Memorial in honour of all who trained at RAF Perton – many of whom gave their lives during the war – and remnants of air raid shelters which can still be found in the surrounding woodland.
In 1987, there were plans for Wolverhampton council to absorb Perton and a number of nearby villages. However, these plans were highly controversial and ultimately never took place. One Perton councillor claimed that the people of Perton were against such a move as they were "keen to get away from Wolverhampton's bad image".
Churches
Perton has two active Christian churches:
*The Church at Perto
which meets at the church in Anders Square in the centre of Perton, and
*Lakeside Community Church Perto
which meets at 10.30 am in Perton Civic Centre.
Schools
Perton has three schools. They are:
* Perton First School (Manston Drive)
* Perton Primary Academy (Sandown Drive)
* Perton Middle School (Gainsborough Drive)
When students leave the first schools at the age of nine, the majority of them go on to study at Perton Middle School. However, some parents choose to send their children to schools in surrounding areas, such as Compton and Tettenhall. When the students finish at the middle school at the age of 13, the majority leave to study at
Codsall Community High School, in the nearby village of Codsall. Some also venture as far as
Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth is a market town and civil parish in Shropshire, England. The River Severn splits it into High Town and Low Town, the upper town on the right bank and the lower on the left bank of the River Severn. The population at the United Kingd ...
, to attend such schools as
Oldbury Wells School and the
Endowed School, leaving Perton Middle in Year 6, due to the difference in tier systems.
The area around Perton and Codsall is one of the few areas of the country which still uses the three-tier system for schools (i.e. 5–9 first schools, 9–13 middle schools and 13-16/18 secondary schools).
Plans to build a secondary school in Perton during the 1980s never materialised.
Countryside and wildlife
Perton features many walks and areas of countryside.
Paths:
There is a path with a fairly level gradient from Perton centre and the big lake (upper lake) to the little lake (lower lake), which then continues over a hill to Bluebell Wood. The whole route is about 1059 yards (3177'), or 2118 yards (6354') there and back (excluding the two woods).
Bluebell Wood:
Bluebell Wood was developed from a previous wood around the ex-RAF station. It is an internationally important site for bluebells and has a number of paths running through it. It is rumoured that Bluebell Wood is the site of underground Second World War bunkers.
There is another large wood across the Parkway
oadfrom Bluebell Wood, next to The Pear and Partridge.
The remains of
RAF Perton can be found in both woods due to the fact Perton was once an airfield.
Other:
There are small woods and grassy areas around the big lake (upper lake) next to Perton Centre.
Perton also has a pavilion located off Gainsborough Drive which has a car park, sports fields and a wood. Dippons Lane and a network of paths connects it to Bluebell Wood and its surrounding area.
The
Staffordshire Way runs within half a mile of Perton.
Flora and fauna
Mammal species found in the area include
common noctule,
Daubenton's and
pipistrelle bats, foxes and
badgers. Both Perton lakes are great places to spot three species of bats. Noctules are often seen flying high above the upper lake at dusk, common pipistrelle just after dark, and Daubenton's bats later in the evening catching insects from the water surface.
Birds
These include
great spotted woodpecker,
green woodpecker,
treecreeper,
nuthatch, five
tit species,
sparrowhawk,
buzzard and many finches including
chaffinch,
greenfinch,
goldfinch and
bullfinch. In winter large flocks of goldfinches and
siskins can be found around the village and in the surrounding countryside there are
redwing and
fieldfare. The woodlands contain many fine trees including oaks and ash. In the spring
lesser celandine can in found in great profusion along the Penk and other damp places. In autumn a wide variety of fungi can be found including
puffballs,
King Alfred's cakes and
collared earthstars.
The two lakes and the area along the river Penk can hold
mallard,
tufted duck,
mute swan,
Canada goose,
coot,
moorhen,
grey wagtail,
grey heron and
kingfisher. In addition occasional visits from
pochard,
great crested grebe,
reed bunting and
water rail excite local birdwatchers.
Insects
During the summer months damselflies and dragonflies are present, whilst in the spring and summer butterflies include
speckled wood butterfly,
meadow brown,
ringlet,
gatekeeper,
orange tip and occasionally
brimstone.
Surrounding area
Baggeridge Country Park,
Bratch Locks,
Highgate Common,
Himley Hall and
Wombourne with its
railway walks and
Wom Brook Walk are all within South Staffordshire and only up to 20-minute driving distance from Perton.
Notable people
Apart from the members of the aristocracy mentioned in the
History
History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the Human history, human past. As an academic discipline, it analyses and interprets evidence to construct narratives about what happened and explain why it happened. Some t ...
section above
*
Cyril Sidlow (1915 – 2005 in Perton) a Welsh football goalkeeper, played for several clubs, including
Wolves
The wolf (''Canis lupus''; : wolves), also known as the grey wolf or gray wolf, is a canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of ''Canis lupus'' have been recognized, including the dog and dingo, though gr ...
.
*
Neil Cutler (born 1976 in Perton) a former football goalkeeper who made 207 pro appearances, now goalkeeping coach at
Aston Villa F.C.
See also
*
Listed buildings in Perton
References
External links
Map on Streetmap.co.ukPerton Multi Media News ChannelPerton Parish CouncilPerton First SchoolPerton Primary AcademyPerton Middle SchoolCodsall Community High SchoolThe Church At PertonLakeside Community ChurchPerton and Codsall United FC websiteWild about Perton website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perton
Villages in Staffordshire
Civil parishes in Staffordshire
South Staffordshire District
Codsall